5 min and 49 sec to read, 1452 words

Sometimes being a musician feels like all work and no play. Inspiration to play and create can seem further and further away. We’re either practicing, learning new techniques, rehearsing, writing songs, learning songs, playing gigs, trying to book gigs, keeping up with social media, and maybe working a day job. It’s A LOT!

It’s easy to forget why we’re working so hard and to lose our inspiration. Creativity starts to feel hard to come by. Singers need to have something to say. Writers need to have the ideas and put it all together. Guitarists need to have creative ways to lay down harmony, rhythm, improvisation, and most importantly … GROOVE.

It can all get very technical and lose the magic if we’re nose down, working hard for long stretches. Enter … live music.

The Energy

Live music is one of the best ways to get excited about playing or writing music again. It helps us remember why we’re working hard to learn our craft. And if you’re not a musician but love music, it will re-ignite your passion for it.

It’s easy to feel like we’re part of a community at a show. We remember our humanity and appreciate others and the arts—a satisfying experience. Interacting with people IRL can be refreshing after spending so much of our time with others on only social media.

Live music can be transcendent. It brings us back to the present moment. Everyone is there for the same reason, to experience something great. To be part of something bigger than ourselves. To feel something more than the everyday.

The musicians’ job, is to make us feel something. And the energy is contagious.

BTW… Do you remember your first concert?

I was pretty lucky with the amount of concerts I got to go to as a kid. I remember counting down the weeks to a big concert. Going into the city, excitement in the air just walking into the arena. And feeling like you’re a part of something important. Something worth experiencing.

The anticipation and elation when the venue suddenly goes dark when the band comes out on stage. The light show, the whistles and whooh’s, buying the t-shirt, and wearing it to school the next day to let everyone know where you were last night! I mean…Yeah!

via GIPHY

Inspiration: Fill the Creative Well

Going to a live show seems always to renew my excitement to create again. To learn a new song or write a new song. Maybe try a technique that I heard a great singer do. It has a way of stirring up enthusiasm, excitement, and passion again. I have a renewed sense of purpose and a clear focus on a goal.

In other words, it’s THE best way to fill the creative well.

Whether we see a singer-songwriter with just an acoustic guitar or a full band, or maybe a Musical theatre show, whatever it is, it takes us out of our everyday lives and invites us to experience something more. Something extraordinary. It feels expansive and renewing. That sense of inclusion and shared experience goes a long way to help renew our sense of wonder.

So how do we get those experiences as adults while being pulled in ten different directions at once?

Commit to Going

Commit to going. Deciding to go is half the battle. Buy a ticket or make plans to meet a friend. This makes us more accountable.

It’s so easy to bail on plans. Our homes are so comfortable now with anything and everything available at our fingertips, sometimes I have to literally make myself go out. But showing up makes all the difference!

Have you ever gone to a show or a dinner with a friend, and you were so tired beforehand that you just wanted to go home and lay on the couch and watch TV? I think we all have. But you showed up anyway and had the best time?

There are A Lot of times when I choose to stay home rather than fight traffic, pay 25$ for parking or whatever obstacles there are, but when I do make that effort it’s usually always worth it.

Get on the list

Join the mailing lists of artists and bands you like. Also sign up to receive the newsletter of a local entertainment paper that keeps you updated on local events. I’m always amazed at how many events are going on in Nashville on any night of the week.

A few of the artists’ emails that I subscribe to are: https://www.countingcrows.com and the Singer-Songwriters Sean Mcconnell https://www.seanmcconnell.com/ and Ron Pope: https://ronpope.com/

Artists’ lists and local newsletters will keep you informed on what’s going on around your city. Even if I don’t always make it out, I like to know what’s going on. I’m inherently a homebody and have to be reminded that I should leave my comfy bubble for new experiences. Seeing all the cool music and events going on will usually tempt me to make a plan to get out.

For instance, last year I saw a special event that was happening at the Science Center, a night of spirit tastings. (Obviously a 21-and-up evening event.) We went and it was fun to try some of the hands-on exhibits and go to the planetarium show and live science shows. (A couple of photos below.) Something different and fun to do that I never would’ve known about if I hadn’t subscribed to a local events newsletter. (nashvilleguru.com)

Support the Arts

As much as I love going to music events it’s fun to get out and do other things besides music. Wine tastings, art shows, comedy shows, trying a new restaurant … appreciating other art forms. I enjoy supporting other artists no matter what their medium.

My husband and I like going to shows like The Moth, a David Sedaris live reading, an NPR live event, a live podcast recording, a musical, a comedian’s set, an art gallery show, or even just a movie.

For me, just getting out of my comfort zone seeing new things, and meeting new people helps to fuel my creativity and general satisfaction. As musicians, it’s easy for us to get focused and introverted in our own little bubble.

On being a well-rounded Musician

I try to stay in touch with what’s going on in popular music, movies, TV shows, or the ‘best summer reads’ types of lists.

I think having opinions on things and knowing what you like and don’t like keeps us interesting. I never want to be that person at the dinner party who can’t contribute to the conversation because I don’t know what’s going on in the world of the arts or pop culture.

I remember many years ago reading in an article (don’t remember when or where) but they were talking about how Madonna is an interesting person because she is interested in things. I understood what they meant. The most interesting people are interested in things. They do, see, read, and experience things. And can have stimulating conversations about them.

I must admit that I’m not as good at this as I used to be, but it’s something I like to stay conscious of.

But I digress.

In Conclusion

It’s so easy to stay home. It feels good in the moment. but actually making the effort and showing up somewhere will usually generate some good feelings as well. I feel like I accomplished something just by getting out and trying something new.

What types of events do you enjoy going to? Who are some of the artists and bands you enjoy going to see? What makes it worth the effort for you? Let us know in the comments so we can check those things out too.

Here’s to staying in touch with music and art and filling the creative well so we can contribute our voices back into the world!

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